Powderguy
Newbie
I have a daily driven 98 suburban k2500(7.4, 411's, 35's)
I ran across kits they sell for the gmt800 trucks that come with a bracket that mounts on the lower control arm and also weld on brackets for the frame for the coilover to mount. Gets rid of the torsion bars, shocks, and oe bump stop. It EVEN clears the upper control arm(although a lot of lifted guys run aftermarket ones). Is this something that's been done on our trucks before? Keep in mind I'm talking k2500 not k1500.
This is the kit on a 1500 gmt800 stock height truck
Same kit except longer coilovers and aftermarket UCA and longer spindles. THIS IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO WHAT I WANT TO DO.
Right now I'm running a 3" body lift and torsion crank to clear 35's...
I've got a donor truck to pull the frame from so I can hack and weld on it at my leisure while I box it in and powder coat it, this way I can experiment without worry of making irepairable damage to my existing frame.
Plan was to get a 6" suspension lift and install on new frame before body swap, BUT Coilovers sound so much nicer from what people are saying with those kits....
WHY DO I WANT COILOVERS?
1. Ride quality
2. Cool factor
I only do occasional off-roading and need the truck to tow at a moments notice with my job. My last suburban had a 6" lift that was doable but I personally think the kits they make for these trucks that drop the upper control arm aren't as good as a knuckle drop kit that puts more distance between the LCA and UCA. I want better ride quality and adjustability.
HERES MY PLAN:
1. Either buy or fab the bracketry to drop the LCA and diff 6". I already called tuff country and superlift and I can buy parts of kits through suppliers. Or maybe someone on here has a lift they would let go for a reasonable price?
2. Buy 6" lift spindles for a gmt800 2500(fabtech sells for like ~$500). UCA would remain in stock location like many aftermarket kits for nbs trucks. The reason for a NBS spindle is because the stock gmt800 spindles work on these trucks with very minor modifations and have much better brake options. AND the way I look at it is if there winds up being a clearance issue with the UCA I can buy an aftermarket one for a gmt800 that bolts right to the spindle and modify the frame mounts if necessary.
My truck has the forged lower control arms(not stamped) I feel like it could handle bearing the weight just fine if the mount was designed right. Upper mounts would be a simple weld on tabs deal and possibly a hoop(oe shock mount and bump stop would have to be removed)
Clearance with the stock upper control arm is my biggest concern but I really think it could be sorted out. I do powder coating for a living and have a hydraulic pipe bender, plasma, welder, etc, of my own. If I get stumped, I know every welder, machinist, and 4x4 shop around here so they can make things easier if something had to be made..say.. a 1 piece machined lower mount for the coilover?
I have time, resources, and plenty of barter leverage with all the metal workers I coat for too.
What are everyone's thoughts before I start buying parts? Any suggestions? I want a GOOD ride, the stock ifs is plenty strong enough for my uses so please don't say just do sas swap man..
I ran across kits they sell for the gmt800 trucks that come with a bracket that mounts on the lower control arm and also weld on brackets for the frame for the coilover to mount. Gets rid of the torsion bars, shocks, and oe bump stop. It EVEN clears the upper control arm(although a lot of lifted guys run aftermarket ones). Is this something that's been done on our trucks before? Keep in mind I'm talking k2500 not k1500.
You must be registered for see images attach
This is the kit on a 1500 gmt800 stock height truck
You must be registered for see images attach
Same kit except longer coilovers and aftermarket UCA and longer spindles. THIS IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO WHAT I WANT TO DO.
Right now I'm running a 3" body lift and torsion crank to clear 35's...
I've got a donor truck to pull the frame from so I can hack and weld on it at my leisure while I box it in and powder coat it, this way I can experiment without worry of making irepairable damage to my existing frame.
Plan was to get a 6" suspension lift and install on new frame before body swap, BUT Coilovers sound so much nicer from what people are saying with those kits....
WHY DO I WANT COILOVERS?
1. Ride quality
2. Cool factor
I only do occasional off-roading and need the truck to tow at a moments notice with my job. My last suburban had a 6" lift that was doable but I personally think the kits they make for these trucks that drop the upper control arm aren't as good as a knuckle drop kit that puts more distance between the LCA and UCA. I want better ride quality and adjustability.
HERES MY PLAN:
1. Either buy or fab the bracketry to drop the LCA and diff 6". I already called tuff country and superlift and I can buy parts of kits through suppliers. Or maybe someone on here has a lift they would let go for a reasonable price?
2. Buy 6" lift spindles for a gmt800 2500(fabtech sells for like ~$500). UCA would remain in stock location like many aftermarket kits for nbs trucks. The reason for a NBS spindle is because the stock gmt800 spindles work on these trucks with very minor modifations and have much better brake options. AND the way I look at it is if there winds up being a clearance issue with the UCA I can buy an aftermarket one for a gmt800 that bolts right to the spindle and modify the frame mounts if necessary.
My truck has the forged lower control arms(not stamped) I feel like it could handle bearing the weight just fine if the mount was designed right. Upper mounts would be a simple weld on tabs deal and possibly a hoop(oe shock mount and bump stop would have to be removed)
Clearance with the stock upper control arm is my biggest concern but I really think it could be sorted out. I do powder coating for a living and have a hydraulic pipe bender, plasma, welder, etc, of my own. If I get stumped, I know every welder, machinist, and 4x4 shop around here so they can make things easier if something had to be made..say.. a 1 piece machined lower mount for the coilover?
I have time, resources, and plenty of barter leverage with all the metal workers I coat for too.
What are everyone's thoughts before I start buying parts? Any suggestions? I want a GOOD ride, the stock ifs is plenty strong enough for my uses so please don't say just do sas swap man..